Girl on fire! Jennifer Lawrence is ready to strike as The Hunger Games' Katniss Everdeen on the cover of Empire magazine

PUBLISHED: 23:57, 28 October 2014 | UPDATED: 01:43, 29 October 2014Jennifer Lawrence is going into the final instalments of the Hunger Games movies standing strong - as evidenced by an intimidating cover to Empire.

The magazine's December 2014 issue celebrates the upcoming release of The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1.

Starring Lawrence as the heroic and inspiring Katniss Everdeen, this third movie in the four-film series will be released on November 21, 2014.

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Cover model: In her role of Katniss Everdeen from the Hunger Games movies, Jennifer Lawrence intimidates from the cover of Empire

The cover shows Lawrence as Katniss, standing alone amidst the burning and broken rubble of a building.

While smoke rises in the background, the revolutionary girl is all sharp lines and black armour as she menaces with her bow and arrow.

There isn't too much hope in the bleak image, other than a mockingjay symbol somehow still intact on an otherwise broken wall.

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On fire: In the third Hunger Games movie, Katniss has to lead a revolution against the government of Panem

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Survival: In addition to the character's survival against all odds, Lawrence had to build a career while starring in one of the most popular film series of recent years

It seems fitting, considering that the final two films focus on Katniss' emergence as an active figure of revolution in the dystopian country of Panem.

Empire's interview with the film's director, Francis Lawrence, accompanies the cover and includes a discussion of future Hunger Games movies and the contribution of deceased actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.

As for the film's star, Jennifer Lawrence has an interview in the issue about making it through these incredibly popular movies.

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Winning: Some critics initially rejected Lawrence as Katniss, saying she was too old and too blonde for the role

Lawrence has played Katniss throughout the films, beginning with The Hunger Games in 2012 - her final appearance is expected in the sequel to Mockingjay, set for a November 20, 2015 release.

Based on a series of books by Suzanne Collins, there had been some objection when Lawrence was originally cast as the film version of Katniss.

The well-received movies have since mostly silenced such criticism.

In addition to her Hunger Games role, the Academy Award-winning actress has kept busy over the past year with a variety of roles, from her Oscar-nominated American Hustle to X-Men: Days Of Future Past to a cameo in Dumb And Dumber To.

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Busy: Lawrence (at the premiere of the latest X-Men movie in May 2014) has appeared in five movies over the past year, including an Oscar-nominated role in American Hustle

The studio gave fans a glimpse of the highly-anticipated new installment of the franchise last week, and now they have offered up a deeper insight of the challenges in store for the band of superheroes.

In a rare moment, the cast - Robert Downey, Jr. (Iron Man), Mark Ruffalo (The Hulk), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and Chris Evans (Captain America) - are seen enjoying drinks together as they lounge around on sofas.

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Unity: The new extended trailer of Avengers: Age Of Ultron shows the band of superheroes enjoying a rare moment of leisure, including the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) sipping on a beer

Thor sets the gang a challenge - to pick up his hammer. Each one the superheroes - apart from the Black Widow - try unsuccessful to get a grip of the god's weapon.

However, Hemsworth's character was notably concerned when Captain America managed to move the powerful tool just a nudgeThe cosy atmosphere soon collapses, however, when a menacing, damaged robot stumbles into the room, much to the distress of the Avengers.

The world turns bleak as they are thrown into their fiercest battle yet as they go up against super-villain Ultron, who is hell-bent on destroying humanity despite Iron Man's initial efforts to oversee peace talks.

Challenge: Thor (Chris Hemsworth) shows off his playful side as he sets his powerful pals a challenge - to pick up his hammer

Thor blimey: Tony Stark, played by Robert Downey, Jr., struggles with the weapon for a while before giving up - and can't shift the hammer even with the help of his Iron Man suit

Bemused: The Hulk's alter-ego Bruce Banner looks on amused as he watches the more outgoing members of the group tackle the challenge

Almost: Captain America (Chris Evans) is next up and manages to shift the hammer slightly

Marvel's Kevin Feige recently revealed that Johansson has an extended role in the new blockbuster, due out in April 2015, but will not lead her own spin-off movie like several of her male castmates.

He said: 'Black Widow couldn't be more important as an Avenger, but, like Hulk, the Avengers films will be the films where they play a primary role.

Mutiny: However, the trailer hints there is trouble in the group as Thor turns on Tony Stark

Green with rage: The Hulk goes on a rampage during on scene, throwing a car across a devastated street

No puppet: Ultron, voiced by James Spader in the movie, appears in the last part of the trailer, saying: ‘Now I’m free. There are no strings on me'

'Her part in Avengers: Age of Ultron' is very, very big and further develops her character. The plans we have for her through the rest of the Avengers saga are very big and she is a linchpin, in fact, to those films.'

Marvel are planning a further two-part 'Avengers' story titled 'Infinity War', which will be released in 2018 and 2019.

Girl power: Elizabeth Olsen stars as Wanda Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch in her first appearance in the franchise